Sorel steps down as president of AAA Minneapolis

After one year on the job, Tom Sorel announced Thursday that he has stepped down as president and CEO of AAA Minneapolis. Wendy Weigel was named acting president and CEO.

A former state transportation commissioner, Sorel had held the top job at AAA since December 2012. During his short tenure, Sorel brought several changes to the club of 200,000 members in Hennepin County, including roadside assistance to bicyclists, a program that allowed new and renewing members with MnPASS transponders to get toll credits, and a redesign of the Live, Play, AAA magazine sent to members.

"We appreciate Tom's enthusiasm and many of the ideas he has brought to AAA Minneapolis over the past year, and wish him well in his future endeavors," said Rick Burrock, the club's chairman.

Burrock said it was Sorel's decision to step down but did not give specifics.

Weigel is the club's vice president of travel services. She has held several leadership positions during her 28 years at AAA Minneapolis, including with AAA's travel agency and auto travel groups.

Sorel came to AAA after serving as transportation commissioner from 2008 to 2012. Before that, he was the division administrator in Minnesota for the Federal Highway Administration. He managed a 22-person federal office in Minnesota and received a presidential honor for coordinating the federal transportation response to the Aug. 1, 2007, collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge over the Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis.

Burrock said the board will evaluate its next steps before naming a permanent replacement.

Friday's the day to get the shovels at the ready and prime the snowblower. Both will be needed as a weekend storm will bring the first significant snowfall of the season to the Twin Cities and parts of the state.